“Old School”: The Patriot Ordnance Factory

By Christopher R. Bartocci

The last company in the industry this author would suspect would manufacture a direct gas impingement rifle would be Patriot Ordnance Factory (POF). This company has built their reputation and, in fact, lead the industry on the short stroke tappet operating system in the AR15/AR10 platform. You would think this company loathed the legacy operating system. After speaking with POF CEO Frank DeSomma, that is clearly not true. According to Frank he likes the direct gas system just fine but when he went into business he wanted to fill a new niche where he could stand out and not do the same thing everyone was doing. He liked the merits of the short stroke tappet system and went with it. He wanted to diversify his product line. He also looked at several ways to improve the system making it more durable and reliable. Just like those who swear by the external piston operating system, you have that part of the industry who are die hard direct gas system supporters. POF answered that call to the industry with the Old School rifle chambered in .308 Win/7.62x51mm NATO. Later he introduced the 5.56mm version called the Renegade but that, is a different story. DeSomma would take all of the enhancements of his firearm design and apply them to the legacy gas system making it one to stand out from the pack. The POF Old School was released at SHOT Show 2015.

The POF Old School is chambered in 7.62x51mm NATO/.308 Winchester caliber. The unloaded weight is 8.0 to 8.2 pounds. Barrel length is 16.5 -inches but it is also offered with a 14.5 or 20-inch barrel. The overall length with the stock closed is 34 inches and extended fully is 39.5 inches. MSRP for the Old School is $2649.99 for the black model and $2689.99 for the NP3 coated rifle.

Starting with the lower, the receiver extension has 7 positions for the stock. Most rifles in this category have 4 to 6 positions making this extremely modular to custom fit a soldier with or without body...